How to know your lines inside out and back to front ready for rehearsal!
The first job is to highlight your characters lines so they are easy to identify.Then chunk your lines into sections or scenes to make the process more manageable.
Learning lines for your part in a performance requires commitment and dedication to the company or team of actors you are working with.
Here are a few great tips to help you:
1. Verbalising your lines will cement them. Repeat saying lines aloud to yourself. Try looking into a mirror as you speak. Mix up your voice changing your pace, pitch or volume. Speak with different emotions or sing your script. Say lines in different locations, the car and the shower are always good spots!
Practicing a little and often is a good approach. Studies have shown that instead of counting sheep - learning lines before bed leads to optimum recall.
2. Move around as you say your lines. This helps to find a rhythm as you speak and assists with retaining dialogue. Try moving in different ways or at different speeds. Say your lines doing various activities like dancing, tidying up or putting laundry away.
3. Have someone read the line before and after yours so you learn the script sequence and your cues to speak.
4. Write your lines out! Putting pen to paper puts the lines in slow motion enabling you to ponder the plays characters and their dynamics.
5. Make a recording of your script and listen to it! (Depending on script length, either a whole cast recording could be made or you could record yourself reading the script). This also helps you to reflect on how you are delivering your lines.
Becoming confident with your lines enables the rehearsal process to flow with ease, so that full concentration can be focused on extracting the best performance from an actor.